The Celtics may have to part ways with 20-year-old small forward Jayson Tatum if they want to acquire Pelicans All-Star big man Anthony Davis.

Tatum has been "discussed extensively by the two teams" as a potential centerpiece in a Pelicans package and he's "expected to be a major part of the talks when June rolls around," according to The Athletic, which cited unidentified sources.

In the Anthony Davis column, I'm told Jayson Tatum has definitely been discussed in Pelicans-Celtics talks. Both sides know that he'd be a major part of the discussion in June https://t.co/5JpBR81QOS

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While there are a lot of moving parts and anything can happen before NBA's 3 p.m. ET Thursday trade deadline, The Athletic noted securing Davis would help the Celtics' odds to re-sign veteran Kyrie Irving.

Per The Athletic:

"Get Davis this summer, and the Celtics would be very confident about Irving resisting those Knicks urges and re-signing in Boston. What's more, there's a strong sense in Celtics circles that securing Irving would be the key to convincing Davis to commit for the long term as well."

Additionally, the Boston Globe noted the Celtics have told the Pelicans no specific player will be off-limits in negotiations during the offseason. Boston reportedly is willing to offer an "explosive package when the time arrives."

The Celtics can't trade for Davis until this summer because both Davis and Irving signed under "The Rose Rule" after their rookie contracts.

Davis requested a trade and made it clear through his agent, Rich Paul, that he will not sign an extension with New Orleans.

The Pelicans were in talks with the Lakers for a potential deal, but Los Angeles reportedly pulled out of the conversation Tuesday. Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson told Pelicans general manager Dell Demps on Tuesday morning that L.A. had made its best offer and isn't willing to budge.